Oncologist Burnout Syndrome in Eastern Europe: Results of the Multinational Survey

Abstract

PURPOSE: Burnout is defined as a three-dimensional syndrome—emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA)—caused by chronic occupational stress. The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of burnout among oncologists in Eastern Europe and to identify the contributing factors. METHODS: The study was conducted as an online survey between October 2017 and March 2018. Oncologists (including medical, radiation, clinical, and surgical oncologists) from 19 countries were invited to participate. The survey consisted of 30 questions, including the standardized burnout instrument, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and eight demographic questions. Burnout risk was scored according to the scoring manual for health care workers. RESULTS: The study included 637 oncologists. Overall, 28% were at low or intermediate risk and 72% were at high risk for burnout. Forty-four percent of participants were at high risk for EE, 28.7% for DP, and 47.3% for PA. EE risk was associated with female sex. DP risk was highest among clinical and radiation oncologists, whereas PA risk was positively correlated with years of service, percentage of cancer deaths, and availability of the number of oncologists. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, burnout was significantly associated with standardized cancer mortality and fewer years of practice. CONCLUSION: Burnout among oncologists in Eastern Europe is high, and younger oncologists are the most vulnerable group. Preventive measures should be taken to address this issue, which negatively affects optimal care delivery and poses a threat to oncologists’ health and well-being.

Síndrome de burnout en profesionales sanitarios en el área de oncología: revisión sistemática de las prevalencias y factores de riesgo

“…Ramey et al (2017) acordaron el trabajar más de 60 horas semanales y la necesidad de acudir a uno o más días durante el fin de semana por semana de guardia. Finalmente, en el estudio de Kust et al (2022) manifestaron una EE alta de 44%, una D alta de 28,7% y una PA baja de 47,3%.…”

“…establecieron una EE alta de 28,3%, una D alta de 17,1% y una PA baja de 12%. Finalmente, en el estudio deKust et al (2022) manifestaron una EE alta de 44%, una D alta de 28,7% y una PA baja de 47,3%, porcentajes que no han tenido mucha variación en relación con los estudios ya mencionados.Los factores de riesgo relacionados con el Síndrome de Burnout tuvieron variaciones con cada publicación, para De la Fuente et al (2020), los factores de riesgo fueron: falta de experiencia laboral, enfermeras jóvenes, mayor nivel de experiencia laboral, turnos nocturnos, exceso de trabajo, chismes de los compañeros, no tener hijos, género femenino, enfermeras mayores de 40 años y problemas de salud. Estos factores se relacionan con el estudiode Yates & Samuel (2019) en donde se indica la carga laboral excesiva y el elevado número de pacientes, sobresale el factor: falta de conciliación de la vida laboral y familiar.…”

Correlation between psychological resilience and burnout syndrome in oncologists amid the Covid-19 pandemic

“…As many as 85% of oncologists affirmed that they had experienced greater burnout during, compared to before the pandemic, while 86% showed moderate to high levels of burnout on the OLBI. In a pre-pandemic study of burnout among oncologists in Eastern Europe during 2019, Kust et al found that 71% of the sample (including Croatian oncologists) experienced high burnout [35]. Although Kust et al used a different method to us (the Maslach Burnout Inventory), both studies find a high percentage of oncologists with burnout symptoms and an increased level of burnout in Croatian oncologists during the pandemic.…”

Covid-19 e os Impactos na Saúde Mental dos Profissionais de Saúde que atuam na Área da Oncologia: Revisão Sistemática da Literatura

“…Na Europa Oriental, a taxa de esgotamento mental, em especial o relacionado ao trabalho entre os oncologistas, é alta e os oncologistas mais jovens são os mais vulneráveis a ela 68 . Marijanović et al 38 afirmam que prestar serviços de oncologia durante uma pandemia contribuiu ainda mais para os desafios da saúde mental entre os profissionais de saúde.…”